Cyprus and Egypt have agreed to look jointly at technical solutions for transporting natural gas through a direct marine pipeline from the large Aphrodite gas field in southeastern Cyprus to Egypt.

"This will optimize the use of the gas infrastructure and achieve an added value for both Cyprus and Egypt," a statement issued by both countries said.

The Aphrodite field (Block 12), which was found by US firm Noble Energy in 2011, is estimated to contain between 102 billion and 170 billion cubic metres (3.6 trillion and six trillion cubic feet) of gas.